HELLO everybody, I'm back

Mmm...that took you all by sur prise eh?

This is the column that gives you a rundown on music releases from up and coming local bands (plus a few well past their sell-by-date).

If you make music, send me a demo, CD or tape C/O the Editorial Features Department, Bolton Evening News, Newspaper House, Churchgate, Bolton, BL1 1DE.

Be warned, though, I may not like it (probably won't in fact), but that's a chance you'll have to take.

While I've been away a lot has been happening. The best live gig of 1998 turned out to be Bob Dylan at the MEN arena. OK, we had to put up with Van Morrison as well, but the inconvenience was worth it when Bob strode on to the stage looking younger and fitter than for a long time.

The best release locally turned out to be a CD demo from Bolton's own Engine Shed. A very nice offering from a band fronted by songwriter Lee Harrison. Standout track is the delightful Sometimes, a version of which also features on the Buskers Ball album Out of Oblivion, but there isn't a weak track on it.

If they get their act together they're going to be a very welcome addition to Bolton's 'live' music scene, although such is the quality of their music they could well be spirited away to Manchester or London for 'greater things'.

If you find a copy I wholeheartedly recommend you buy it and listen to some very nice acoustic based material (and if they do make it big, you'll be sitting on a fortune).

My main gripe is that there are not enough live music venues in the town centre, which to be honest is beginning to have an effect on the town's musicians.

One major disappointment was Manchester's "In The City" festival in which I, and other local musicians, took part. Good idea, but if you're going to hold a festival highlighting the city's music talent, then you should at least ensure that the bigwigs from the record industry actually get out and see some of the lesser known acts rather than just congregate round the imported bigger names. How about somebody organising a similar event in Bolton where every bar/pub in the town centre hosts some kind of live music event all in one weekend? Just an idea.

White elephant of 1998 must be Bolton's ABC Cinema, which has now been empty for 12 months and could so easily be turned into a classy medium sized concert venue, bringing prestige and quality entertainment to Bolton's evening economy, but serves the purpose of merely acting as billboard for events in other towns...shame.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.